Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

National Recreational Trails Program

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Formerly administered through the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), Recreational Trails Program funds were used for projects that may have included:

  • Construction of new trails (motorized and non-motorized).

  • Maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails (motorized and non-motorized).

  • Access to trails by persons with disabilities.

  • Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment.

  • Acquisition of land or easements for a trail, or for trail corridors.

  • Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection as related to recreational trails.

Eligible sponsors included private organizations; municipalities; federal, state and regional agencies and other government entities such as tribal. Grant amounts varied. 

RTP Grant Making Process (typical)

Project Guidance

Sample, approved proposal:  Town of Mansfield
 
Previously funded projects:

2006 Projects     2007 Projects    2008 Projects   2009 Projects   2010 Projects   2011 Projects   2012 Projects   2013-14 Projects

In 2015, DEEP's CT Recreational Trails Grants Program was established, per CGS Section 23-103, as amended by Public Act No. 15-190, to provide funding to any private nonprofit organizations, municipalities, state departments and tribal governments in support of trail projects including:

  • Planning, design and construction of new trails (motorized and non-motorized).
  • Maintenance and restoration of existing trails (motorized and non-motorized).
  • Access to trails by persons with disabilities.
  • Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment.
  • Acquisition of land or easements for a trail, or for trail corridors.
  • Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection as related to recreational trails. 

 

If you have any further questions please contact Kimberly Bradley at (860) 424-3938 or by email at kimberly.bradley@ct.gov.

Content updated October 2022